Lost your marbles

Posted by ESC January 25, 2001In reply to Lost your marbles posted by James Briggs on January 25, 2001

can anyone tell me what the origin of lost your marbles is, please.

I couldn't find any information in my reference books. However, I am assuming that the origin would be in the child's game of marbles.

Possibles:
1.Rhyming slang; 'marble halls = balls = testicles'
2. ditto. 'marbles & conkers = bonkers'
3. Slang for 'money' from 19C.
Source: Cassel Dictionary of Slang

In the U.S., "losing your marbles" means losing your mind...suffering from mental illness.